Memorandum of Understanding
between Kansas State University on behalf of the Division of Extension
and the _________________________ Extension District / Extension Council
On this the ___ day of __________, 20____, the above-named parties enter the following Memorandum of Understanding as follows:
I. Preamble
The Division of Extension within Kansas State University (K-State Research and Extension) is a community-based
education unit serving the state of Kansas — engaging citizens with the research, educational, and technological resources
of Kansas State University. K-State Research and Extension provides access to education to serve the public good.
1) K-State Research and Extension builds collaborations to provide public goods and services that deliver on the
land-grant university commitment to Kansas residents.
2) Extension boards and councils, and K-State Research and Extension enter into additional collaborative arrangements that drive significant opportunities for leveraging and pooling resources. Our activities promote efficiency
and economic diversity, and result in a fiscally stable system.
3) K-State Research and Extension provides a mechanism for individuals to join together to address common
concerns and creates an organized, research-based environment in which they can make decisions and act.
Kansas State University provides educational goods and services for the benefit of Kansas residents and communities,
available because we work together as a system – K-State Research and Extension. This unique system has the potential to
nurture democracy through engaging residents in common aspirations, concerns, and purpose.
II. Introduction
K-State Research and Extension hereinafter referred to as KSRE, and the Extension Council or Extension District,
hereinafter referred to as local Extension unit, enter into this Memorandum of Understanding in order to cooperate in a
collaboration:
1) To deliver on the land-grant mission of
a. providing access to high-quality education;
b. applying research to the needs of Kansas, the nation, and the world;
c. extending knowledge to strengthen Kansas’s economy and citizens’ quality of life.
2) To extend the land-grant university beyond the campus borders and provide a mix of core educational programs
consistent with the provisions of the Smith-Lever Act of May 8, 1914, as amended, and the Memorandum of
Understanding between Kansas State University and the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
3) In meeting local needs as authorized by the Kansas County Extension Council Law Sec. 2-608 through 2-622,
Kansas Statutes Annotated as amended, and the Kansas Extension District Law Sec. 2-623 through 2-628, Kansas
Statutes Annotated as amended,…. to provide for the purpose of giving instruction agriculture, marketing, family
and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, community and resource development, and economic development to the people of the …. local Extension unit.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
III. Agreement of Basic Principles
1) The collaboration between KSRE and the local Extension unit unites many perspectives, understandings, experiences, and relationships to function as one system – K-State Research and Extension – across the university, the
state, and within districts and counties.
a. The collaboration is inclusive of the diversity of Kansas’s residents.
b. The collaboration supports work across Kansas State University colleges and campus units to build capacity
that supports efforts across the state.
c. Entrepreneurial collaborations with other community, county, and state agencies/organizations are encouraged, often resulting in mutual benefits.
2) The core purpose of the relationship is to provide research-based educational programs. To ensure that educational
programs (defined as a planned series of educational events intended to meet a public need) are of the highest
quality and audience appropriate:
a. KSRE and the local Extension units will share the responsibility for assessing needs and providing curriculum-based educational programs.
b. Curriculum development at all levels of the organization will follow a process based on science and appropriate methodologies.
c. Equal access to Extension programs and facilities is consistent with state and federal laws and regulations, and
KSRE and the local Extension units shall regularly review, report, and update their policies and procedures to
ensure compliance with such laws.
3) Because proficient employees and volunteers are crucial for success, all KSRE faculty, educators, staff, local Extension unit board members, and volunteers will be provided opportunities to participate in position-related professional development.
4) To deliver on the mission of the organization, all parties embrace the collaboration as a system functioning simultaneously and congruently statewide and within districts and counties. For the good of the collaboration:
a. KSRE shall permit its branding (attached as Exhibit __, and as modified from time to time) to be used on the
local Extension unit’s offices and buildings as well as on the local Extension unit’s informational and educational materials associated with educational programs;
b. KSRE shall provide strategies to the local Extension unit, and the local Extension unit shall make its best
efforts to use such strategies, to promote and advance KSRE to external partners (including private, public,
and non-profit partners) about our educational mission and program impact;
c. KSRE shall provide to the local Extension unit resources and tools (i.e. templates, worksheets) related to local
Extension unit programming, finance, human resources, and policies. The local Extension unit agrees to use
such resources and tools to the extent practicable.
5) KSRE and local Extension units will establish policies that comply with Kansas State University and State of
Kansas applicable policies, including non-discrimination within our programming.
6) In the event of a dispute regarding the terms and/or conditions of this agreement, KSRE and the local Extension
unit will work cooperatively to address such dispute.
IV. Division of Responsibility
KSRE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have signed a separate memorandum defining national and state partner
relationships. To clearly establish and define relationships and responsibilities for conducting Extension work in Kansas,
KSRE and the local Extension unit agree to the following.
K-State Research and Extension agrees to:
1)
2)
The Local Extension Unit agrees to:
Follow the Memorandum of Understanding Basic Principles to form a unified system.
1)
Establish relationships with state agencies and departments that increase capacity for local partners and are
based on meaningful, shared priorities and resources, and
capitalize on local collaborations.
3)
Build collaborations across Kansas State University in
order to facilitate and broker outreach from colleges and
other units that encourage engagement with the local
Extension unit field office.
2)
Establish a needs assessment process to identify emerging
issues and incorporate findings into development of
educational programs that meet the needs of Kansas residents.
4)
5)
Provide statewide support to KSRE Program Focus Teams
that will develop statewide action plans, provide in-depth
and basic training, and identify professional development
opportunities to support the action plan implementation.
5)
6)
Statewide action plans developed by the KSRE Program
Focus Teams will fit within the scope of KSRE mission
and current Grand Challenge areas.
6)
7)
Provide professional development opportunities related to
reaching underserved audiences.
7)
8)
Review statewide action plans for effectiveness and
meeting identified needs. Program Focus Teams will assist
with development of evaluation tools and will develop
appropriate “Making a Difference” report(s).
8)
3)
4)
9)
Authorize 4-H youth development educational programs
– the youth outreach programs for Kansas State University
– use of the federally protected 4-H name and emblem.
Use of name and emblem represents the ideals of these
educational programs.
9)
Follow the Memorandum of Understanding Basic Principles to form a unified system.
Engage in collaborations with Kansas State University to build capacity to deliver local/regional outreach
throughout the area served by the Local Extension Unit.
Engage local affiliates as partners within the Local
Extension Unit based on meaningful, shared priorities
and resources, and capitalize on collaborations with state
agencies and departments.
Engage with local program development committees, and
other stakeholders, to identify local needs and emerging
issues, and share findings/understanding of those needs
with KSRE program leaders and KSRE Program Focus
Teams.
Each local Extension unit extension agent (referred to
herein as “educator”) will identify an area of specialization
for program focus, actively participate in a Program Focus
Team and participate in professional development opportunities to increase capacity to deliver strong educational
programming. Educators help identify and/or develop
programs and other resources to address local needs.
Local Extension units will use their local needs assessment to localize the statewide action plans. Locally developed programs must fit within the scope of the KSRE
mission and the current KSRE Grand Challenge areas.
Local Extension units will support each local unit
employee to participate in KSRE’s professional development opportunities related to reaching underserved audiences. Each local unit will engage with local underserved
audiences to address educational needs.
Review and report program effectiveness using KSRE
evaluation tools. This includes sharing outcomes and
impacts of educational programs with local stakeholders
and in the KSRE on-line evaluation system.
Agree to adhere to Federal guidelines (http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/4-Hguidelines-v4-26-04.
pdf ) for use of 4-H name and emblem to carry out core
4-H Youth Development educational programs.
10) Provide professional development for working with volunteers and a process for volunteer screening and management.
10) Involve and support volunteers, if appropriate, including
volunteer screening and management.
12) Employ and appoint an area director to provide administrative leadership for Local Extension Units in decision-making and matters affecting the KSRE system.
The area director shall serve as communication channel
between KSRE and the Local Extension Unit; and represent the Director for KSRE.
12) Establish personnel needs to meet programming goals
based on budget allowances. Work with area director for
decision-making and system matters affecting the Local
Extension Unit.
11) Require and conduct background checks of all Extension educators, staff and volunteers associated with state
programs involving work with youth or other vulnerable audiences, and not previously checked by the local
Extension unit, as steps toward providing a safe and secure
environment for all staff and those we serve.
11) Require and conduct background checks of all local
Extension unit staff, and all volunteers who are involved
in work with youth or other vulnerable audiences as steps
toward providing a safe and secure environment for all
staff and those we serve.
13) Employ and appoint program specialists. Program specialists participate in Program Focus Teams to help coordinate, deliver and provide feedback on KSRE educational
programs; and are responsible for engaging with Local
Extension Unit educators to identify statewide needs,
develop statewide action and evaluation plans, and deliver
and/or identify related professional development opportunities.
13) Support local unit educators to work with program
specialists in Program Focus Teams to provide local input
into statewide action plans and support for local delivery
of those plans as appropriate; budget funds for programs
and services to ensure effective Local Extension Unit
programs in all four general program areas (agriculture,
family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development
and community vitality).
15) Prepare an annual budget in cooperation with the local
Extension board or Council. Allocate funds toward the
salary of each local unit extension educator, only after local
units have met all requirements of Extension Council and
District laws and the memorandum of understanding.
15) Prepare an annual budget in cooperation with the
Director of K-State Research and Extension. Meet all
requirements of the Federal and State Extension laws and
this memorandum of understanding.
17) Provide financial and accounting support services for local
Extension units, including a system for statewide financial
accounting.
17) Use state approved system for financial accounting and
provide monthly financial records to KSRE for review and
approval of all accounts and expenditure of funds by the
local Extension unit.
14) Provide resources to assist local Extension units in
developing plans and goals, and assist in selection and/
or provide training opportunities for local Extension unit
employees that align with those goals.
16) Determine qualifications of local Extension educators and
present candidates to be interviewed by the local Extension unit. Appoint Extension educators, establish compensation, and supervise Extension educators in cooperation
with the local Extension unit.
14) Have staff and volunteers identify position–related plans
and goals, and take advantage of opportunities provided or
seek opportunities to meet those goals.
16) In cooperation with the Director of K-State Research and
Extension, interview candidates, recommend appointment, provide established compensation to be channeled
through KSRE, and provide supervision and performance
evaluation of Extension educators.
V. Effective Date, Termination, and Review of this Memorandum
This memorandum shall be effective upon approval by the Local Unit Extension Council or Board, signature by the Chair
of the Local Unit Extension Council or Board, and signature by the Director of KSRE, and shall remain in effect until
terminated in writing by either party or by operation of law. This memorandum shall be reviewed jointly by both parties
at least once every four years, with a review completed prior to July 1, 2020. The Memorandum of Understanding may be
amended on the initiative of either party by submitting a proposed amendment in writing to the other party and agreement of that party to the amendment.
VI. The parties agree that there are no intended or unintended third-party beneficiaries of
the Memorandum of Understanding, and that the Memorandum of Understanding is solely
for the benefit of the parties thereto. The parties further agree that they do not create a legal
partnership or joint venture by agreeing to this Memorandum of Understanding.
VII. Approvals
For K-State Research and Extension:
Director of K-State Research and Extension_____________________________________________________________
For the_______________________________________________District Governing Body / County Extension Council:
Chair________________________________________________________ Date________________________________
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as
amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, John D. Floros, Director.